Most years, I post something about how excellent pumpkin beers are and that anyone who is remotely close to Seattle or can get here for a weekend in October should attend what I consider, the pinnacle beer event of the year: The Great Pumpkin Beer Festival hosted by the kings and queens of pumpkin beer, Elysian Brewing. However, this year, I was graciously invited to talk in depth about pumpkin beers on KIRO radio and I thought, “Well, this is a great opportunity to delve deeply into exactly what local pumpkin beers are available out there on the market this year.” What are they like? How do they differ? Which one is the right pumpkin beer for you?

So here’s my breakdown of each pumpkin beer that was tasted and will be reviewed on the show today. Yes, there are more than merely six pumpkin beers being crafted here in the Pacific Northwest, but I went with the six that are made here in the greater Seattle area by breweries that are close to my home and my heart. These are also beers that are easily available to you, the consumer, at your nearest bottle shop. After the beer descriptions, keep reading if you’d like to know more about baking with pumpkin beers.

Six local (Seattle area) pumpkin beers:

Elysian Brewing Night Owl: 5.9% by volume, sold in both 22 oz and 12 oz bottles and on tap around the Seattle area. Night Owl Pumpkin Ale is the most popular pumpkin beer that Elysian makes and is brewed with over seven pounds of pumpkin per barrel and spiced in conditioning with nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, ginger and allspice. Made with Pale, Munich and Crystal malts green and roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin in the mash, boil and fermenter. Bittered with Horizon hops.
Pours a medium orange/amber, slightly cloudy. Lots of pumpkin flavor and spice, nice light body, very drinkable. This is Elysian’s most popular, widely sold pumpkin ale. Usually on my “recommends” list for someone who’s never had a pumpkin beer before as an introduction to the basic style.Read the rest of this entry »

Become a Sponsor!

Blog Roll:

The Seattle Star
A wealth of Seattle news and culture, including original poetry and prose by Seattle artists -- find my other events/news coverage here!
NW Beer Night
Admit it: We all love enjoy watching people get drunk. Why not watch them get drunk for 20 minutes every Thursday, while attempting to speak intelligently about beer? Watch NW Beer Night.
Tally Heilke - I Could Make That
A simple weekly guide to DIY, geek themed crafts by Ms. Tally Heilke, talented crafty-type!
Geeky Hostess
A guide to how to entertain in geeky, unique ways by Tara Theoharis.
Dammit Liz!
Dammit Liz, aka Liz Smith, is an independent freelance event consultant specializing in geek and pop culture events. This is her blog which covers events, projects, etc. It's all sorts of geeky and all sorts of awesome!